Disaster struck again for Diego Manuel...

I just got a phone call from Diego Manuel.
It was hard to understand what he was saying through the tears. His mother had just passed away.
They were having difficulties as it was coping to buy food, and now they need money to get a coffin and to have a wake at their house, tomorrow.
The cheapest coffin is $150, so you can imagine that it will be tough to get that kind of money together.
If you read this, and you care to help him and his family... please send your support through paypal.
Thank you ...

Thursday... garbage day...

The garbage truck comes by three times a week.
We try to buy things with as little as possible of unnecessary packing materials, so we don't always have a full bag to put outside.
This morning two young ladies, in their twenties came to remind us that today is garbage day, but our bags weren't out.
I wondered why that was, but turns out they go from door to door to see if there aren't any things in there that they can still use before the boys from the garbage truck sort out the usable stuff.
I guess, when there's no work around, and no money to buy rice and beans for the family, one has to be imaginative to think of something that might be useful. Sometimes, they find empty cans or plastic bottles that they can sell...
Life is hard... but still they managed to keep up the good spirit.
They gave me a big smile when I told them that I had a big bucket full of empty soda cans in the back!

Doña Esperanza and hammocks...

This morning Doña Esperanza came by for the hot meals for tomorrow. She brought her grandson, and he is just as warm and friendly as she is. Most of the guests know her by know, so they all greet and hug.
The ones that don't know her are greeted with a warm hug as well.

Gabriel is off to the hospital again. The crusts of dried blood on his face have almost all disappeared from the last assault. But that wasn't the reason of the visit to the hospital. Kidney problems and low blood pressure...
We'll see. He'll bring by the documents of the hospital later on.

Yesterday, I was walking by the place where street children and poor kids are making hammocks.
The whole idea behind it is to keep the children off the streets, far away from bad influences and glue.
On top of that, the guys can learn a trade and earn some money!
When I was there, a couple from Detroit was shocked to see "child labor" in the 21st century.
The place is far from a sweat shop! it is a nice ambiance, a nice pastime and a good way to earn money for food! So I explained, and they suddenly saw the beauty of the initiative.

Nicaragua is a developing country, and each year more and more tourists find their way over here.
It IS different than back home. As will be any foreign country. But isn't that the beauty of traveling!

Family values...

Marvincito is one of the first Chavalos that I met here in Granada almost 6 years ago. I have seen him at his best, going to school, behaving well, looking healthy.
And, unfortunately, I have seen him after he tried to commit suicide after the baby was taken away after his girlfriend gave birth to his daughter.
And also after he had been boozing the money that somebody had kindly given to him, or high on glue, not even remembering his own name...

Well, a week ago, I gave him the trip fare to go visit his family. He had been there and came back yesterday to say hello. He looked very healthy and clean... no glue!
But he also told me that the pressure from his buddies was tremendous. When they saw him, all offered to share their "gerber" jar of glue with him. So far, he could resist.
I told him that I was very proud of him. I also told him that Michael and one of the other boys were on their way to the edge... So sad... They act real crazy and are a real nuisance.
So I said to Marvincito that I would hate it if he became like them. Hopefully, he won't. All depends on himself. He can do it if he wants to...

Please give your support...

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Amigas ...

It was Christina's first visit, but she wrote us that she fell in love with this country and it's people. She and Doña Esperanza became best friends instantly.
After Christina heard what Doña Esperanza means to the Chavalos, she spontaneously offered to donate the kids an extra day of delicious lunches.

This morning, I had a talk with Richard, one of our guests who also is here for his first time.
He was impressed with the people of Nicaragua. How inventive they are to get by and how happy they can be without all the things that we take for granted.
He had lunch in a local eatery, and noticed that the table had a whole where once a doorknob was. Nothing ever goes wasted here! There is a use for everything.

As you know, we are OK as far as medicine is concerned. At the moment, there is still a need for small notebooks, pens and rulers for our little community school. Also T-shirts and flip flops, and if there is room for coloring books, pencils and stickers for kids. Anything really that will brighten up their day!!

Osito...

Just now, Yader passed by to ask for some help. He brought his wife and his little daughter. Coincidentally, Jerry had brought school supplies. Amongst the things, there was a tiny teddy bear (osito!). Kiara was delighted to meet her new friend! If anybody has little friends in the house that are looking to be adopted, you know where to bring them!!

Thank you Michael for helping students and Escuela #1 out with school supplies.
Only yesterday, I was talking to a couple of brothers and sisters who told me that they wouldn't be going to school this year because they couldn't afford the supplies. That would be a pity.
So, this afternoon, we are going to get the notebooks and pens they need.
Usually, it is only $10 or $15 that keeps them from starting a new school year.
If more people would care to help, please do!

Marvincito got out of jail. His lip was busted from a beating he received. His shoulder was also hurt. I told him that he probably had deserved it and he should think better before acting like a thug pulling knives!

Boys will be boys...

Both Ernesto and Marvincito are locked up in prison again.
Like often, it is a macho thing. Apparently, one guy had pushed Marvin.
He reacted by giving the guy a cut in his arm with a knife he was carrying.
This guy went to the police to report agression with an arm.
They arrested the two boys at 1 O'clock this morning while they were asleep.
When they get out, I will tell them again, as they have been told so many times:
Nothing gets solved with violence, you'll only get deeper in trouble.
Most of the guys seem to understand. Some will never do so.
And, of course, Guaro (alcohol) and glue never helped in these matters, not in a good way!

Extra day of hot meals big succes!

With a little delay, the Chavalos were offered an extra hot meal, thanks to Christina!
Doña Esperanza's grand daughter of 14 years had to be brought to a hospital in a hurry at 4am.
She had to take care of her for the rest of the day, and so the food stand on the market stayed empty for the day.
But... everything is great now, and the surprise was so much bigger when everybody got an delicious hot meal today.
A lot of brand new flip flops were distributed over the last days as well.
So you can imagine that there were a lot of happy Chavalos!
If anybody is coming this way soon, we have all the necessary medication for the next couple of months.
What we could use is a couple more notebooks, small size, for the little school in Comarca La Laguna.

To everybody:

Happy Holidays...

It was a very good week for the Chavalos and for several other organizations and families in Granada.
Chuck from Delaware has made sure that Christmas 2011 will not be easily forgotten by many Granadinos.
Shoes and a very nice donation for Centro Jesus Amigo...
An incredible support to finish the school of Juan Pablo II

 
Donations of rice and beans for several families/organizations.

One family already received a completely new roof on their house.
Probably a second family will receive a new roof also.

We have made sure that tomorrow, the Chavalos will have a very nice Christmas meal.
Christina, one of our guests, has donated an 25 extra meals to be distributed to the Chavalos.
Thank you everybody for making this difference for so many people!!!